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subtle curves enliven the top Saw and smooth. At the bandsaw, cut the four arcs that form the perimeter of the top. Then smooth these cuts with a handplane, checking to be sure the edges are square to the top. Shape the edges. Use a pencil to lay out the limits of the top’s underturned edge profile, marking one line on the edge and another on the underside (top). Then use a smoother followed by a block plane to cut the curved profile, working from a faceted surface to a smoothly rounded one. Tweak the end and side profiles if necessary to produce a straight line at the corner where they meet (above). Top starts 11⁄8 in. thick by 151⁄2 in. wide by 59 in. long 11⁄2 in. radius 1⁄4 in. 7⁄8 in. C/L EdgE profilE 30-ft. radius 311⁄2-in. radius 12 in. Now shape the top I use a pencil and a trammel made of scrap plywood to draw the arcs for the perimeter of the top and then I bandsaw to the lines. After sawing out the shape, place the top in a vise at the bench and begin defining the curves along the length using both a smoothing plane (No. 4) and a block plane. Check the edge periodically to be sure it’s square. Careful planing will render a final curve that needs little if any sanding. repeat the process on the ends. To lay out the edge profile, use a marking gauge fitted with a pencil to draw lines on the edge and underside. rough out the rounded profile with a smoothing plane, and then use 70 FINE woodworkIN g